Maria of Portugal-Navarre

Maria of Portugal-Navarre (born 1062) was a princess of the Kingdom of Portugal and Navarre who married Dauphin Louis of France in 1096.

Biography
Maria of Portugal-Navarre was the first daughter of King Henrique I of Portugal and his wife Teresa of Portugal-Navarre, and second child. Maria was a natural negotiator with diplomatic ability, making her charming and a worthy bride. Maria was originally intended to marry a Spanish prince, but there were no suitable husbands in Castile. While heading to Milan to seek an alliance between the Kingdom of Portugal and Navarre and the Duchy of Milan, Maria met a French army and spoke with the captain. She offered herself to Dauphin Louis, the heir apparent to the French throne, and was married to him. The House of Navarre and House of Orleans produced many offspring for the French prince.